[shadowghost002]

Hello, Everyone. I've had a really trying time defining my beliefs, i've tried conventional beliefs, they came across as too rigid, restrictive. I can only depend on what I feel in my heart is true. This leaves me hanging in the wind, unsure of what to believe, or what path to follow. I've never been very spiritual, but I need to define what I believe spiritually, and I don't know how to do this. Can anyone give me some advice?

[phoenix7]

i would probably start by writing down what i do and dont believe....

study different forms of spirituality and when one strikes true - you are home.

of course it may be that parts of many things reach out to you

we al walk our own paths - i hope you find yours

one thing you could try is asking higher power/God/whateveryoucallit to reveal themself to you. you can just tell them that you aren't totally sure who they are and what to believe and follow and that you could use some direction. then, see what happens in your life. you may meet someone who seems to be on the right path, read something that really speaks to you, etc. you may get a series of small answers leading you along or you may get a bigger answer.

[venusss]

Open your eyes and look for omens.

[shadowghost002]

Venus, part of the problem is that i've been looking, but I don't see any.

[kitty555]

i made up my own idea of a loving nurturing power and i ask that (whatever it is) to
guide me and help me.. mine understands my a.d.h.d. and is always there for me..
i sometimes write letters to it...i have read many spiritual books and tried different
spiritual practices, and i use the ones that i resonate with the strongest at the time.
i'm not sure if we can mention specific things or not...keep searching its so worth it..

[Lexaproman]

I can tell you this John 17:3 says that it all begins with knowledge of the true God and of the one he sent forth to show us!

What is conventional? And what is restrictive? The fact is humans were given the ability to distinguish between right and wrong not define what is right and wrong.

If you are having a problem with a product you clearly would accept the direction of the maker of that product would you not?

It is that obvious, we all need to seek the direction of the one who made us. Oh and notice I am saying to take anyone else's word for it.

No it is not a simple task but it is something we all can do.

Eccliastes 12:14 tells us the whole obligation of man is to follow the commandments of our creator. And why not would he not know what is best for us seeing that he made us?

And what is restrictive about that? Eating is a requirement, you do not have a choice in that. Does that bother you?

Who is anyone to tell you that you should eat? Yeah sounds silly to think of asking that question doesn't it?

It just shows you that we accept that there are things in life that are required for our good and we don't object to being told them.

Oh and to answer your question more specifically, what I am trying to lay out is what makes it spiritual in the first place. Recognizing your and I's dependence on our creator and doing due diligence to form a link between you and "he".

True "religion" is a way of living not some sanctimonious mumbo jumbo or some perfunctory garbage.

"I can only depend on what I feel in my heart is true" this is a direct quote from your post, I copy-paste to my reply here. That is the door way to true "Spirituality". Spend some time alone in the wilderness and connect to whats around you. See what aminals and elements you a a personal connection to. Draw or write about them. If want to Pray..Pray to all there is.

[Omers]

I found my spirituality looking at the qualities of those I admired most (and yes, this sometimes means ignoring their lesser traits). My spiritulity has changed as I have changed, grown as I have grown.

My favorite and most meaningful response to my spirituality came from the person I most admire...
"There is just something wrong when our best Catholic is a United Methodist"

I don't fit in any pre-designed box and neither does my spirituality. For me, that's OK. I know the most about the Christian doctrine but have found value in all others I have opened myself to.

Your spirit is there, trust it and it will find its way.

[Lexaproman]

Aside from spirituality being the connection between you and the spirit realm, namely our creator, but I do think it is important to consider what also is being posted here.

It is not only the connectedness but the inner peace within ourselves.

[Gus1234U]

my teacher said: there is one path to understanding, Kindness. best wishes,,, Gus

[Beholden]

I only briefly read through a few of the replies here, but I'm currently reading a very interesting book titled The Shack by William Paul Young. It is about spirituality and written in a very different way. It will help you to remove all the restrictions placed on most of what you may have be taught in a religious setting.

I highly recommend it if you are struggling or looking for a sense of spirituality in your own life. I was given the book by my best friend who is not a 'church goer', but very much believes in a higher power. She is a recovering alcoholic.

She was raised in a very strict church where they believed in speaking in tongues, etc...but she thought this novel was written in such a freeing transparent way and though it starts out with a man losing his daughter in a kidnapping, it shows love and faith and hope in a beautifully written story.

I really am loving this book. the sub title is: Where Tragedy Confronts Eternity.

I highly recommend it if you are struggling for or looking for a sense of spirituality in your own life.

lexaproman, you probably didn't realize but we can only discuss spirituality here and not have religious discussions where we quote sacred texts or even talk about specific deities or doctrines. PC has had problems in the past with this, so they have a link to beliefnet if people want those types of discussions. just read the community guidelines if you have any questions about what is allowed here.

[SunnyD]

For me I needed someone to come along side of me and give me peace. I needed assurance of heaven and guidance for my life and decisions. After 41 years I still have a Savior.

[sanityseeker]

"Spirituality can refer to an ultimate or immaterial reality; an inner path enabling a person to discover the essence of their being; or the “deepest values and meanings by which people live.” Spiritual practices, including meditation, prayer and contemplation, are intended to develop an individual's inner life; such practices often lead to an experience of connectedness with a larger reality, yielding a more comprehensive self; with other individuals or the human community; with nature or the cosmos; or with the divine realm. Spirituality is often experienced as a source of inspiration or orientation in life. It can encompass belief in immaterial realities or experiences of the immanent or transcendent nature of the world." Wikipedia

I have been apart of and or studied the doctrine of a variety of old and new religions over the years. At the end of the day the source of my greatest understanding comes from acknowledging that 'I am a spiritual being having a human experience'. Not sure when or where I first heard that but ever since it has opened my eyes and my heart to a truer sense of my place in life. I acknowledge all that exists in the natural world in which I live has a spirit. The plants, the animals, the minerals and the atmosphere that surrounds us, shares the earth and the universe as we know it are all made up of spirit. Making the connection is a spiritual experience. At the centre of all this is a sense of a higher spiritual power that is outside yet connected to the earthly life we experience.

I think the journey to finding a sense of spirituality comes from that moment of silence when you speak to that desire. When you honestly ask of your spirit (your heart, your breath) for the understanding to sense its existance, to feel its connection to your being and to see it in all that is around you, visible and invisible. If it is the desire of your heart to connect with spirit in a way that you can feel and understand then by desiring it you make it happen. Be attentive to it showing itself to you when you see something or experience something in a new way.

I feel most in touch with my spirit when I am in the garden digging in the dirt. Or when I am walking in the forest and smelling the cedar and listening to the songs and voices of the birds. Or when I am sitting along side the river and hearing the sounds of the trickling water. Examining the roots of the trees that cling to the shore. Admiring the resilience of the rocks smoothed on the surface by the waters rushing power. Gazing at the clouds, at the rock cliffs and even the pebbles under my feet. In all that surrounds me I see lessons for my life that are given to me first in spirit and then through understanding the relationship to my earthly experience and spiritual existance.

I think more important to you then all my ramblings about my spritual relationship to all that is created to share my earthy experience is for you to consider why you seek spiritual understanding. If you know what it is you seek to gain then it may help to guide what at first you are able to perceive as spirit and thus embrace as spiritual understanding and comfort. Once you acknowledge your own sense of spirit you may then be open to seeing it as the life force behind what you see and tough and smell. You may become more connected with what you intuitively feel and sense in your heart.

[Lexaproman]

Very interesting posts. It's nice to see so many views and see that people give this a lot of thought.

@bloom3 - I am well aware of what the guidelines are and if I broke them by quoting the Bible I apologize. I hardly think I was preaching a "religious" thought. In fact I clearly was pointing out that spirituality is beyond the so called interpretations of "religion".

I am apologize if I did not make myself clear enough. I will withdraw from this thread since my expressions are offensive.